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 | Cheerfull Ayres or Ballads, First composed for one single Voice and since set for three Voices by John Wilson |  |
The following poems are scored for music in the source text. Where poems are not stanzaic, no attempt has been made to reconstruct the metrical lines. Variations for different voices have been ignored. Repetition marks have been ignored.
To the ever honoured Dr JOHN WILSON on his incomparable Book of Ballads.
Not as a bush to thy more noble wine.Doe we prefix these lines; what ever's thine
Commends it selfe; we pay our homage, due
To this diviner science and to you:
Did Orpheus Harpe cause beasts to dance, thine more
Thy loftier strains draw love from them, before
Did hate thy art and thee: this wonder shall
Raise thee to be a God, make him to fall.
Sure some Intelligence was sent from Jove
T'acquaint thee with the Harmony above;
How else with such composure are we blest.
'Tis Angells Musick though in Mortalls dresse
Those low and creeping words we Ballads call
Thy powre has raisd to be cœlestiall.
O prodigie of nature that couldst keep
Thy soul in tune, when all the world was deep
In discord: it's then time, for thee to set
Some sprightly Ayre, when there's most need of it.
When sacred Anthems ceased, and in stead
Of that more heavenly Musick, did succeed
Nothing but barking tones, when Organs were
By Trumpets silenc'd, then blown from the Quire;
Thou, borne to humour all, out of thy braine
Full fraught with melodye, didst hatch this traine
Of songs, from whose sweet concord always runs
Full streames of harmelesse mirth t'Apollo's sons.
These Charme our senses make our souls to dwell
Upon our ears, there to keep Sentinell.
Heer's Musick for the mean'st capacity,
And for the skillful'st too deep Harmony:
WILSON's deserved praise in untun'd verse.
And learne to sing those notes which rightly hit,
Speake more to's honour than th'accutest wit.
Proceed Harmonious soul, in this thine art.
More of thy Musick still to us impart,
For in these sheets thou shalt embalmed be,
And live a WILSON to Eternity.
To my honoured friend Dr WILSON on His Musicall Ayres, and incomparable Skill on the Lute.
Could wise Pithagoras tast thy skill;Or drown'd in numbers drink his fill;
Could he but revel't in thy Ayre
One houre, he'd sweare thy soul is there.
Thou'lt tempt, (take but thy Lute in hand,)
Euridice againe to Land;
Who Ravisht with one carelesse glance,
May safely venture t'other dance
On fatall Serpents, lul'd in th'armes
Of thy soft notes they'l need no charmes.
Labour but on thy strings, they'l throng
Themselves into a Swans last song;
Where every note will ring the knell
Of some dead baffled Philomel.
On that incomparable Master of Musick Dr WILSON.
Sir, such in sounds your skill's, that while you're here,Oxfords not only Englands eye but Eare:
So at a shake of yours our passions flow,
As if you reacht our Heartstrings with your Bow,
Touch your Theorboe, and round all our souls
Like Unisons the restlesse Quaver rouls,
Your Schoole did never so deserve its name,
As since your ravishing Rhetorick thither came,
No lofty style like Ela can command,
No Figures like the postures of your Hand,
How have I seen, souls melting through the Eyes,
Ears chaind, tongues silent at your Melodies.
Like Orpheus Rivers, Beasts, Stones, Birds you move,
When Tears, & wrath, Fiercenesse, and Winged Love
Follow your Tunes, such Majesty attends
Your strokes, that Law comes from your Fingers ends,
The Spartans Musick made them fight & die,
Your's would have made them to graspe Victorie.
No wonder then if Poets find their Feet,
When with such all Commanding notes they meet.
Praise is an Echo to good deeds, then fit
It is, good Musick should have most of it.
To his honoured Friend Dr JOHN WILSON upon his most excellent Book of Ayres.
Lend my Muse wings and with them I will dare,To soare aloft in your much clearer Ayre.
Where your harmonious sphere is known to move
With sweeter Accents then those doe above.
Did now Promethius live hee'd find a way,
Not only for to animate meere Clay.
Heed aske for pure Ayre not for Jove's fire,
That he might some harmonious soules inspire.
Musick's compleatest parts you here have set,
Only that wee might find them more compleat,
Toth' envy of our Nation here you shew,
Musicks perfection perfected by you.
To the great Master of Musick Dr J. WILSON upon his most excellent Book of Ayres.
The soul's a Symphony: Th'harmonious blast,The perfect Ayre of the great Protoplast.
No wonder then if thy Diviner Note
Betray my soul, make mine invention dote.
Stir'd by thy Musick from each melting string,
Didst thou not Cheat me of my soule, I'de sing,
I'de Praise thy Vertues; but thy sweetest Quire,
Bids me give audience only, and Admire.
Each stroake speaks WILSON and whoever plays
Sings a new Anthem to his lasting praise.
'Tis WILSON speakes, each neatly-warbled straine
Is but the Echo of th'inventors braine.
Not Death, nor Time can e're eclipse thy Fame,
While each string, from thy Book, thus sounds thy Name.
Ne're feare Oblivion then: Thy Glory shall,
Know none, but what's the worlds great Funerall.
To my honoured Friend JOHN WILSON Doctor of Musick, on his excellent Book of Ayres.
As Friends do meet whom nobler love hath joyn'dAnd made (though sev'rall bodies, yet) one mind,
Who count themselves to live, not 'cause they move
And have a being but because they love;
Who when they view, think all their soules i'th' eye.
Or if they touch, think it i'th' hand to lye:
So doe I meet your Ayres, they have the art
Of drawing all my soule into that part
Which they affect, and if I chance to heare
Them strook am forc'd to wish my selfe all eare.
I doe not wonder that the King did call,
WILSON, ther's more words, let's heare them all.
Such was your skill, that what the rest o'th' Court
Perhaps thought long, Judicious eares thought short.
Excellent Artist! whose sweet straines devoure
Time swift as they, and make dayes seem an houre.
But what need more, since 'tis enough to tell
But this, King Charles hath heard, and lik'd them well.
To that Excellent Musitian the AUTHOR.
'Tis well the Musick of the rowling SphæresDoth not arive to prepossesse our eares;
That they may entertaine thy Nobler Layes;
Which might embody'd Angels charme, and raise
Woods into Trances. Let none that at least
Hath not a Siren Templ'd in his breast,
Pollute thy songs, And in whose every note
A Quire of Muses playes about his throat:
That may call out the soule and make it run
In a Triumphant Chariot 'bove the Sun.
Could others but discerne that Golden vaine
Of Art, those Graces that breath in each straine
Of thy composures, then they might know what
(In part) to judge oth' Learned travaile that
Teaches thy notes to command Raptures so:
But by that selfe-concealing art (we know)
Thine eyes are priviledg'd in thy frames to spye
Those silken strings, that fine Embrodery.
To my worthy Friend that incomparable Musitian Dr JOHN WILSON on his Book of Songs of three Parts
A head so often wreath'd with Bayes:
Or make the greedy Reader looke
For something good besides the Book?
These dirty lines the rest will soyle.
And hardly serve to be their foyle,
Yet since the Author will impart
Unto the gaping world his Art;
I'le let it know what it ne're thought,
What can't be learned may be bought;
Least men inestimable call
It still and so not buy't at all.
Thus o're faire Structures of't we set
A Bill, this House is to be Let:
Some too perhaps who yet ne're knew
Great WILSON what we owe to you;
When they shall on the Title page.
See Ballads first come on the Stage.
Will thinke, because the word so grosse is.
These songs are fit for Market Crosses:
I'le tell'um they're authentick grown,
And Rimers now put Poets downe.
And yet I will the Muses call,
Apollo, and the Poets all,
And bid them tell me if they e're
Had better Offrings then are here,
Call any Nobler (if they durst)
Since they frequented Hibla first:
Is this, men made some, More the Gods.
Thus in a day serene and cleare,
Some sullen clouds fixt here and there
Make angry Phebus mend his ray
And add more luster to the day.
Thus in fayre nights the Heavens are
Not set with one continued starre,
But here and there a patch of night
Doth recompence the rest with light.
Now could the trembling aire convey
These sounds where Troys foundations lay;
Each scatterd stone would shew his head,
Though long in ruines buryed;
And being ravisht leap to take
The station which it did forsake:
And thou (Brave WILSON) with thy hand
Amphion like shouldst charming stand;
So should each higher note have powre
For to erect a lofty Towre
And when a deeper tone should sound,
To sinck a Cellar vnder ground;
Then might I question which would tell
Lowder thy Fame, Quart pot or Bell.
The difference 'twixt Thee and Mee:
I'le only say thy sacred brow
Shall not be crown'd with Laurell now,
Stay then till wee together can
Thy Master Crowne and Thee his Man.
[When Troy Towne]
When Troy Towne for ten years warre withstood the Greeks in manfullwiseWhen Troy Towne for ten years warre withstood the Greeks in manfullwise, yet did their foes increase so fast, that to resist none could suffice, Waste lye those Walls that were so good and Corne now growes where Troy Towne stood.
[From the faire Lavinian Shore]
From the faire Lavinian ShoreFrom the faire Lavinian Shore, I your Markets come to store, Muse not though so farr I dwell and my wares come here to sell. Such is the sacred hunger of gould then come to my pack while I cry what d'ye lack what d'ye buy for here it is to be sold.
[Will you buy any Honesty]
Will you buy any Honesty come awayWill you buy any Honesty come away, I sell it openly by day, I bring no forced lights nor Candle to cozen you come buy and handle, This will shew the great Man good, the Tradesman where he sweares and lyes, the Lady of a Noble blood, the
[Full fathome five]
Full fathome five thy Father lyesFull fathome five thy Father lyes, of his bones are Corrall made those are pearles that were his eyes, nothing of him that doth fade but doth suffer a Sea change into something rich and strange.
[Where the Bee sucks]
Where the Bee sucks there suck IWhere the Bee sucks there suck I, in a Cowslips Bell I lye there I couch When Owles doe cry, on the Batts Back I doe fly, after Summer merrily. Merrily Merrily shall I live now under the Blossome that hangs on the Bough
[When Love with unconfined wings]
When Love with unconfined wings hovers within my gatesWhen Love with unconfined wings hovers within my gates And My Divine Althea brings to whisper at my Grates. When I lye tangled in her haire, and Fetter'd in her eye,
[Have you any work for the Sowgelder hoe]
Have you any work for the Sowgelder hoeHave you any work for the Sowgelder hoe, My horne goes to high to lowe To lowe. Have you any Piggs Calves or Colts Have you any Lambs in your holts to cut for the stone, here comes a cunning one
[Come hither you that Love]
Come hither you that LoveCome hither you that Love, and heare me sing of Joyes still growing greene Fresh and Lusty as the pride of Spring and ever blowing, Come hither youths that Blush and dare not know what is desire, and old men worse then you that
[Young Thirsis lay in Phillis lap]
Young Thirsis lay in Phillis lapYoung Thirsis lay in Phillis lap, and gazing on her eye priz'd life too Meane for such good hap and fayne the Lad would dye. When Phillis who the Force did prove of Love as well as he. Cry'd to him stay a while my Love and
[Kawasha comes in Majesteé]
Kawasha comes in MajesteéKawasha comes in Majesteé, was never such a god as hee He is come from a farr Cuntreé To make our nose a Chimneé a Chimneé:
[Cast your Capps and Cares away]
Cast your Capps and Cares awayCast your Capps and Cares away, this is the Beggers Holiday, At the Crowning of our King, Thus we ever Dance and Sing: Be it Peace or be it Warre, Here at Liberty we are,
[Doe not feare to put thy feet]
Doe not feare to put thy feetDoe not feare to put thy feet, Naked in the River sweet. Think not Neute, nor Leech, nor Toade, will bite thy foote when thou hast trode: Nor let the Waters rising high, nor as thou wad'st in make thee
[Thoughts doe not vexe me while I Sleepe]
Griefe do not doe not move mee,
Smile not false hope while I weepe
Shee cannot love mee,
and as often turning,
then as shee had I been Ice,
and Shee as I now burning.
Sighes doe not so oppresse mee,
Stop not your Eares at my Cryes,
O but release mee.
And as full of mourning,
Very griefe would make you dye,
At least, leave off your scorning.
[Who so complaineth gaineth oft Loves just reward]
Who so complainethWho so complaineth gaineth oft Loves just reward. Who so refraineth paineth dyeing Sans regard, then will I make a vertue of my needing And spare no speech since words cause Loves best speeding, O you sad lines Proceeding
[Come Silent night and in thy gloomy shade]
Come Silent night and in thy gloomy shadeCome Silent night and in thy gloomy shade hide my dispaire all those that Trade with griefe doe hate reliefe, and can think nothing faire but thy dark Mantle, in whose misty Ayre Contemning breath they grope for death
[Come Constant Hearts that so prevaile]
Come Constant Hearts that so prevaileCome Constant Hearts that so prevaile, that ev'ry passion putts in baile, my Innocence shall dare as farr, to give the Tyrant open warre, if warm'd with pride he kindle fires Wee'le drowne them in our chast desires: If he Assaile with Dart or Bow
[Love and disdaine dwells in my Mistress eyes]
Love and disdaine dwells in my Mistress eyesLove and disdaine dwells in my Mistress eyes, contending which of them shall first destroy me, Th'one with his restlesse flames my bosome fryes Th'other no lesse doth with his Ice annoy mee. Dearest, since these conclude that
[In a season all oppressed]
[1]
In a season all oppressed,With sad sorrowes poore distressed,
Troylous said unto his Cressed
Yeeld O yeeld thee sweet and stay not,
O no no no no no
No no no Sweet Love I may not.
2
Strife in Love is Loves uniting,These hands were not made for fighting,
But for mutuall hearts delighting,
Yeeld O yeeld then sweet and stay not:
O No No &c.
3
Deare if you will still persever,In this No, which answers never
Doe what I desire you ever.
And againe say No, and spare not.
O No No &c. I dare not.
4
Since nor time nor place nor plaining,Can change this word of disdaining,
What is there for mee remaining,
But to dye, if you gainsay not.
O No No &c. I may not.
[Cupid thou art a wanton Boy]
Cupid thou art a wanton BoyCupid thou art a wanton Boy, and heretofore mad'st Love a Toy, But in thy Raigne a Tyrant art, to Wound a Sheaperdesses heart: To make her Sigh, Swoune, Weepe, and Pale, Thus Sick yet modest will not
[Though your strangenesse fretts my heart]
Yet may not I Complaine,
You perswade me 'tis but Art,
That secret Love must feigne.
'Tis but a shew t'avoyd suspect,
Is this faire excusing,
You sweare I have your heart:
When my Rivalls close doe stand,
And I stand farre apart.
Yet must I seeme your friend alone;
Is this faire excusing,
O no all is abusing.
[Aske mee no more whether doth stray]
Those golden Attoms of the day,
For in pure Love the Heavens prepare,
That powder to enrich thy hayre,
That downeward shoote in dead of night,
For in thine Eyes they set and there,
When June is gone the flaming Rose,
For in thy beautyes Orient deepe,
All flowres as in their causes sleepe.
The Phœnix builds her Spicie Nest,
For unto thee at last shee flies
And in thy fragrand bosome dyes.
[Clora's false Love made Clora weepe]
And by a Rivers side,
Her flocks which She was wont to keepe
Neglected thus shee cry'd.
To kindle my desires,
And to leave His at so much odds,
As there's no mutuall fires.
that was a tender one,
from his that was a stone.
Downe from her Love-sick eyes
Did in the Waters dropp and swell,
And into bubbles rise.
Now out alas said shee,
How doe I melt away in teares,
For him that Loves not mee.
But in lesse forme appeare,
Thus doe I languish from mine eye,
And grow new in my teare.
Sweet streames by your fayre side,
My Love perhapps may walking bee,
And I may be espied.
In a sad teares attire,
May force such passions from his breast,
Shall equall my desire.
[I love (alas) but cannot shew it]
I keep a fire that burnes within
Rake't up in Embers Ah could shee know it,
I might perhaps be Lov'd agen,
For a true Love may Justly call
For friendship Love reciprocall.
A Sigh, by whispering in her Eare,
Or let a piteous shower convey mee
And drop into her breast a teare,
Or two or more, the hardest flint
By often dropps receives a dint.
That is allready too too weake;
No no they say Lovers may send it
By wrighting what they cannot speake,
Goe then my Muse and let this verse
Bring back my life or else my Hearse.
[If I dye, be this my will]
If I dye, be this my willIf I dye, be this my will, Let my spirit serve thee still, and desire if not fulfill Thy whole pleasure so approving, Death is not the end of Loving. Let the Earth my Body have whence it sprung, there be my grave, Only the remembrance
[Greedy Lover pause a while]
And remember that a Smile heretofore
Would have made thy hopes a feast, which is more
Since thy dyet was increast,
Then both Looks and Language too,
Or the face it selfe can doe
There thy lipps would Seem to dwell which is more
Ever since they sped so well,
Then they can be brought to Doe,
By my neck and bosome too.
A dominion unpossest heretofore
And my heart shall Be thy prize,
So thou Keep above the Line,
All the Hemispheare is thine.
Which by Oath thou didst assure
Here-to-fore,
Gold that goes into the cleere
shines the more.
When it leaves agen the fire,
Let not then those looks of thine
Blemish what they should refine.
Almost all thou could'st desire
Here-to-fore,
But I see thou art to crave
More and more;
Should I cast in all I have,
So that were I ne're so free,
Thou would'st burn, though not for mee.
[Thine eyes to mee like Sunnes appeare]
Thine eyes to mee like Sunnes appeareThine eyes to mee like Sunnes appeare or brighter starres their light whih Makes it Summer all the yeare, Or else a day of Night. But truely I doe Think they are but eyes, and neither Sunne nor Starre.
[Awake Awake the Morne will never rise]
Awake Awake the Morne will never riseAwake Awake the Morne will never rise, 'till shee can dresse her Beauties at thine eyes. The Larke forsakes her watry nest and mounting Shakes her dewy wings taking thy window for the East, and as shee
[I would have thee Merry, Laugh]
I would have thee Merry, Laugh, and SmileI would have thee Merry, Laugh, and Smile, and then look grave and sad, In ev'ry humour but a while make Love as 'tis that's Mad, I would have thy dresse in Severall drapes, like Proteus carv'd, not he, in humour a meer Jack-an-apes, then a grave Monkey be.
[In The merry Month of May]
[1]
In The merry Month of May,On a Morne by breake of day
Forth I Walked the woods so wide,
When as May was in her pride,
There I spyed all alone
Philliday with Coridon.
2
Much a doe there was god wot,He could Love but shee could not,
His Love Hee said was ever true,
Nor was mine e're false to you.
He said he had Lov'd her long,
Shee said Love should have no wrong.
3
Coridon would Kisse her then,Shee said Maids must kisse no men
'Till they kist for good and all,
Then Shee made the Shepheards call:
All the godds to witnesse sooth
Ne're was lov'd a fairer youth.
4
Then with many a pretty OathAs yea and nay and faith and troath,
Such as silly Sheapheards use
When they will not Love abuse,
Love that had been long deluded,
Was with kisses sweet concluded:
And Philliday with Garlands gay
Was crown'd the Lady of the May.
[Faine would I Cloris whom my heart adores]
Faine would I Cloris whom my heart adoresFaine would I Cloris whom my heart adores, longer a while between thine Armes remaine, But loe the Jealous morne Her Rosy doores to Spight mee opes and brings the day againe. Farewell farewell Cloris 'tis time I
[Deere give mee a thousand kisses pay the dept]
Deere give mee a thousand kissesDeere give mee a thousand kisses pay the dept thy Lipps doe owe Let the number of those Blisses to ten thousand thousand grow, 'till to infinites they Flow. Let the sweet perfum'd treasure of thy breath my Spirits fill, so enjoying
[Lawne as white as driven Snow]
Lawne as white as driven SnowLawne as white as driven Snow, Cypresse black as ere was Crow, Gloves as sweet as Damaske Roses, Maskes for Faces and for Noses, Bugle Braceletts Necklace Amber, Perfumes for a Ladyes Chamber, Golden Coyfes and stomachers
[Goe weather-beaten thoughts with stormes of teares]
Goe weather-beaten thoughtsGoe weather-beaten thoughts with stormes of teares that issue From your selfe conceived sorrow, prize her hard heart, presse her unwilling eares to Heare my nights unrest my grieving Morrow. Tell her the harbour where your
[Goe restlesse thoughts fly from your Masters breast]
Goe restlesse thoughts fly from your Masters breastGoe restlesse thoughts fly from your Masters breast, and seeke out her that Causeth thus my griefe, presse to her heart, letting it never rest untill from her you bring with You reliefe. Tell her you come from one, that's deadly sick a bleeding heart
[If my Lady bid beginne]
If my Lady bid beginneIf my Lady bid beginne, Shall I say No 'tis a sinne? If shee bidd mee Kisse and play, Shall I shrinke? Cold Foole away. If Shee clap my Cheekes and spye little Cupids in my eye gripe my hand and
[Tell mee where the beauty lyes]
Tell mee where the beauty lyes in my MistresseTell mee where the beauty lyes in my Mistresse, or mine eyes, is shee fayre I made her so, Beauty doth from likeing grow. Be shee fayrer whiter than Venus Doves or Leda's Swanne, What's that Beauty if neglected, seen of all, of
[Boast not blind boy that I'me thy prize]
'Twas not thy Dart
But those that Feather'd with her eyes
First strooke my heart.
Th'ill tuter'd shafts and Childish Bow,
On faintly loving hearts bestowe.
Those Bugbeare fires,
Which only serve to terrify
Fooles fond desires:
Hoard up for such thy painted flame,
As tremble when they heare thy name.
But holy flashes,
Swifter then lightning and more fierce,
Burnt mine to ashes;
Where lett them sleepe in unknown rest,
Since Fate concludes their Urne her breast.
[Come thou Father of the Spring]
Come thou Father of the SpringCome thou Father of the Spring: Come Zephirus, and while we sing Spread thy Nectar-dewed wings over all this place below, that from hence such Sweet may grow, Hybla shall envy at the shew, that the Nymphs and higher
[Sir this my little Mistresse here]
Sir this my little Mistresse hereSir this my little Mistresse here, did ne're pretend to Peters Chaire, nor Any Triple Crowne did weare, and yet shee is a Pope. No Benefice shee ever sold, nor Pardon, nor dispence for Gold, shee Scarcely is a quarter old, and yet shee is a Pope. No Kings her
[No No I tell thee no]
No No I tell thee noNo No I tell thee no, Though from thee I Must goe, Yet my Heart saies not so. It swears by Stella's eyes, in whose darting surprize It in Loves fetters lies. It swears by those Roses and Lillies so White,
[For ever let thy heavenly Tapers]
For ever let thy heavenly Tapers on the Married brightly shineFor ever let thy heavenly Tapers on the Married brightly shine And never may un-sacred vapours drowne those glorious flames of thine. O Hymen That their Hands, their Hands dost joyne untill thy Rayes to darknesse turne,
[Fly hence shadowes that doe Keepe]
Fly hence shadowes that doe KeepeFly hence shadowes that doe Keepe watchfull sorrowes Charm'd in sleepe, Though the eyes be overtaken yet the heart doth ever waken, thoughts charm'd Up in busy snares of Continuall toyles and cares, Love and griefes are so exprest,
[Since Love hath in thine and mine]
[1]
Since Love hath in thine and mineEye Kindled a holy flame,
What Pitty 'twere to let it dye,
What sinne to quench the same.
2
The starres that seeme extinct by day,Disclose their flames at night,
And in a Subtile sence convey
3
So when the Jealous Eye and Eare,Are shut or turn'd a side:
Our tongues, our Eyes may talke nor feare
The being heard or spy'd.
4
What though our bodies cannot meete,Loves fuell's more divine,
The fixt starres by their twinkling greete,
And yet they never joyne.
5
Falle Meteors that doe change their place,Though they seem fair and bright,
Yet when they covet to embrace,
Fall downe and loose their light.
6
If thou perceive thy flame decay,Come light thine Eyes at mine:
And when I feele mine fade away,
I'le take new fire from thine.
7
Thus while wee shall preserve from wast,The flame of our desires,
No Vestall shall maintaine more chast,
Or more Immortall fires.
[Since Love hath brought thee, and I have caught thee]
[1]
Since Love hath brought thee, and I have caught theeHere in this bower And at this Hower,
Nor shall thy faynings, thy coy disdaynings
Thy causelesse Chidings, thy short abidings,
Thy crafty smilings thy quaint beguilings,
Shall make mee Leave thee No No thou shalt no more deceive mee.
2
See'st thou that fountaine, Under that Mountaine,Wat'ring those vallyes, Along whose allyes,
Thou once did'st fly mee, when I did spye thee,
Even in this Atire, Held by a Satyre:
Under that Sapling, In a close grapling
When I did threat him, and after beat him,
And yet would'st leave mee,
No, No, thou shalt no more deceive mee.
3
Then cease thy panting, And be not wanting,In those sweet graces, and deare embraces,
Wherewith thou bindest, all that thou mindest,
And fall a Billing, 'till I be willing,
So to repay thee, that which may stay thee,
And so delight thee, that to requite mee,
Thou ne're wilt leave mee,
Nor ever offer to deceive mee.
[You Heraulds of my Mistresse heart]
You Heraulds of my Mistresse heartYou Heraulds of my Mistresse heart, beauties fairest jewell, to mee her Passions force impart, that I may know if Shee or no, intendeth to bee Cruell, your silence can with art expresse, the heart's unfeined story
[Why thinkst thou Foole thy Beauties Rayes ]
Why thinkst thou Foole thy Beauties RayesWhy thinkst thou Foole thy Beauties Rayes should flame my colder Heart when thy disdaine shall sev'rall wayes such peircing blasts impart seest not those Beames that guild the day, though they be hot and fierce t'have neither heate
[When the cleer Sunn with his beams hot]
When the cleer Sunn with his beams hotWhen the cleer Sunn with his beams hot, Scorched the Grasse in Meade and Mountaine, Strephon the Sheapheard now forgot, late fitting by a Christall fountaine under a spreading Beeches shade, for Phyllis eare this
[What would any man desire]
What would any man desire?What would any man desire? is he cold? then here's a fire Is he hot? shee'l gently scoole him 'till he finde that heat does coole him, Is he Sad? then here's a pleasure, is hee poore? then here's a treasure. Loves he Musick?
[Thou that excellest and sweeter smellest]
[1]
Thou that excellest and sweeter smellestThen budding Roses yet Cruelly killest,
Others sit billing, Loves Nectar spilling,
Why shouldst thou then to mee Prove so unwilling,
Thy looks so smiling, all hearts beguiling
2
Then be not cruell, my Loves chiefe Jewell,Quench the flames thou hast made, or give them fewell,
All those that knew mee, when they shall view mee,
With death rewarded, will curse her that slew mee.
O let relenting, and swift repenting,
From danger free, both thee and mee.
3
Then wee'l lye gasping, Arme in arme clasping,Of Loves Sweets that have past each others asking,
Our hearts united, this way delighted,
Shall not with needlesse feare, no more be frighted.
But with sweet Kisses, multiply blisses,
Untill wee prove, one soule in Love.
[I sweare by Muskadell]
[1]
I sweare by Muskadell,That I doe Love thee, well
And more then I can Tell,
By the white Clarret and Sack,
I doe love thy Black black black,
2
So lovely and so fayreOre shaddow'd with thy hayre,
So nimble just like haire,
All these set mee on loves rack,
For thy sweeter Black black black.
3
No goddesse 'mongst them all,So slender and so tall,
And gracefull too withall,
Which makes my sinews to Crack,
For thy dainty Black black black.
4
Thy kinde and loving Eye,When first I did Espye,
Our loves it did descrye,
Dumb speaking what d'yee lack,
Mine answered thy Black black black.
[Fondnesse of man to love a shee]
Were beauties Image on her Face
So carv'd by Immortality,
As envious time cannot disgrace.
fain'd smiles a while his hopes may steere
but soon reduced by sad disdaine
Pursue uncertain blisses more:
Who sayles by womans constancy,
Shipwracks his Love on every shore.
[Downe Be still you Seas]
Downe Be still you SeasDowne Be still you Seas, water your dread master please, Downe downe I say or be silent as the day, you that fling and roare a loft Whistling winds be still and soft, not an Angry look let fly, you proud Mountains
[You say you love mee]
You say you love mee, nay can sweare it tooYou say you love mee, nay can sweare it too, but stay Sir, 'Twill not doe, I know you keepe your Oathes, just as you weare your Cloaths, while new and fresh in fashion, but once growne old you lay them
[Hence with this wedlock Chaine and Smart]
Hence with this wedlock Chaine and SmartHence with this wedlock Chaine and Smart I'le not have People laugh at me for wearing shackles on my heart, and live engag'd that might live Free, I'le keep my Freedome all I can, and never live a Married man
[So have I seene a Silver Swann]
So have I seene a Silver SwannSo have I seene a Silver Swann, as in a watry looking Glasse, viewing her whiter forme and then, Courting her Selfe with lovely grace. As now shee doth her selfe her selfe admire
[View'st thou that poore penurious payre]
View'st thou that poore penurious payreView'st thou that poore penurious payre of Lovers how they Bill, Instructed not by wanton faire, but by a Mutuall will. Such needlesse aydes these Wretches scorne, they finde out hid desires,
[If I must tell you what I love]
If I must tell you what I loveIf I must tell you what I love before my heart shall bow to any 'Tis not the Black that I approve, nor yet the Browne ador'd by many The first is Farr from all delight, 'tis beauties foe and not complexion, The Embleme
[When on mine eyes her eyes first shone]
When on mine eyes her eyes first shoneWhen on mine eyes her eyes first shone, I all amazed steadily Gazed, and shee to make mee more amazed so caught so wove foure eyes in one as Who had with advizement seen us would have admir'd Loves equall force between
[Be not thou so foolish nice]
Be not thou so foolish niceBe not thou so foolish nice, as to bee invited twice What should Woemen more incite then their own sweet Appetite, shall Savage things more Freedome have, then Nature unto Woemen gave. The Swan the Turtle, and the
[Come I faint thy tedious stay]
Come I faint thy tedious stayCome I faint thy tedious stay doubles each hower of the Day, the Nimble hast of winged love, makes aged time not seem to move. Did not the night, and then the light, instruct my sight, I should forget the Sunn,
[God Lyeus ever young]
God Lyeus ever youngGod Lyeus ever young, ever Honour'd ever sung, stain'd with Blood of lusty Grapes, in a thousand lusty shapes. Daunce upon the Mazers brim, in the crimson Liquor swim, from thy plenteous hand Divine, let a
[Not Roses coucht within a Lilly bed]
Not Roses coucht within a Lilly bedNot Roses coucht within a Lilly bed, are those commixtures That depaint thy Face, nor yet the white, which silvers Hyem's head, Mixt with the dewy Mornings purple grace; But thou whose fayre my Senses captive led, whom I erst
[So many Loves have I neglected]
So many Loves have I neglectedSo many Loves have I neglected, whose good parts might move Mee, that now I am of all rejected, there is none will Love mee. Why is Mayden heat so coy, it Freezeth when it burneth, loosing what it
[Now the Lusty Spring is seen]
Now the Lusty Spring is seenNow the Lusty Spring is seen, greene, yellow, gaudy blue, daintily invites the view on ev'ry Bush on ev'ry greene, Roses blushing as they blowe And inviting men to pull, Lillies whiter then the Snow, Woodbines
[Wherefore peep'st thou envious day]
[1]
Wherefore peep'st thou envious day,Wee can Kisse without thee,
Lovers hate that golden ray,
That thou bear'st about thee.
Go and give them Light that sorrow,
Or the Saylor flying,
Our Embraces need no Morrow
2
Wee shall curse thy curious Eye,For our soon betraying,
And condemne thee for a spye,
If thou see us playing.
Get thee gone and Lend thy flashes,
Where there's need of lending.
Our affections are not ashes.
Nor our Kisses ending.
3
Were wee cold or wither'd heere,Wee should wish thee by us,
Or but one another feare,
Then thou should'st not fly us.
Wee are young thou mar'st our pleasure,
Goe to Sea and slumber,
Darknesse only gives us leasure,
Our stolne joyes to number.
[Turne Turne, turne thy beautious face away]
Turne Turne, turne thy beautious face awayTurne Turne, turne thy beautious face away, how pale and sickly looks the Day in emulation of thy brighter Beames. O envious light fly fly begone Come Night and joyne two breasts in one, when what Love does we will repeate
[When I behold my Mistres face]
When I behold my Mistres faceWhen I behold my Mistres face, where beauty hath her dwelling place, And see those seeing starres her eyes, In whom Loves fire for ever lyes. And heare her witty Charming words, her sweet Tongue to mine Eare affords
[My Love and I for Kisses plaid]
My Love and I for Kisses plaidMy Love and I for Kisses plaid shee would keepe stakes I was content, but when I wonn shee would be paid, this made mee Aske her what shee meant. Nay since I see quoth shee I see quoth
[In a vale with flowrets spangled.]
Strephon meeting her thus plained
To the Nymph that had intangled,
And to her his Bosome Chained,
Tarry O tarry faire
at the sigh's at the prayre
of who thy deare eyes admires
Hark how each thing wee see
doe all discourse of shee,
so thy Beauty all Inspires.
acknowledge to thy breath Of their sweet breathing.
Th'earth sayes thou art their spring, each flower confessing
their sent and Colour was Of thy bequeathing.
Him and all his praises scorning:
Wherefore as his anger led him
To dispraise his praises turning.
Stay cruell stay he cryes,
And let thy Eares and Eyes,
Of thy faults the Records bee.
And those that prais'd thee late,
See how thy Scornes they hate.
In their due remorce of mee.
The windes would blow thee hence thy absence hasting,
Th'earth sayes thy frownes are but a dartlesse thunder,
Flowers smile, nor feare thy frosty bosomes blasting.
| Cheerfull Ayres or Ballads, First composed for one single Voice and since set for three Voices by John Wilson | |